Upon entering the 2007 Natural Talent Design Competition, David Posada and Scott Mooney did not think their entry would result in an actual building.  Due to the sponsorship and donations of many dedicated organizations, their entry - the competition's winning regional design - will be the first LEED-certified Habitat for Humanity project in Oregon.  The 2007 NTDC, a competition sponsored by the Emerging Green Builders of Cascadia on a yearly basis, challenged young designers to combine the fields of green building and affordable housing with a two-home LEED silver-rated design on a vacant lot in Portland – one that just happened to be owned by Portland Habitat for Humanity.

Although the EGB was in contact with Portland Habitat for Humanity as they chose the competition’s site, it wasn’t until after the regional winners were announced that Habitat came back to them and Cascadia with plans to build the winning design.  Portland Habitat for Humanity has incorporated green features in their homes over the years, but saw in this project a chance to reach a new level of sustainability.  The two LEED-certified homes will act as a prototype for future Habitat projects, showcasing technologies and designs that are both affordable and sustainable.  Hearing this, the EGB and Cascadia were immediately on board.  Walsh Construction Company, a regular sponsor of Habitat homes, took an interest in the project as well.  Seeing the synergies between their company and these homes, they offered their sponsorship, agreeing also to lend their expertise in green construction management.  With Cascadia, Habitat, and Walsh now involved, David and Scott agreed to take their design from the conceptual phase through construction documentation – a huge, and hugely generous, effort.

Located at NE 6th and Webster in the Alberta Arts District of Portland, the project will be a home for two families.  The units, one with four bedrooms and the other with two, will combine sustainable building strategies into two simple, pleasant, and durable structures.  The homes are oriented on an east-west axis, allowing daylight to light the inside spaces.  Rainwater is caught and stored for irrigation and reclaimed materials will provide hardscaping on the site.  The design reduces the amount of wood needed in the structure, all of which will come from FSC-certified sources.  Strategies to reduce energy and water consumption include high-efficiency operable windows, radiant floor heating, low flow fixtures, and Energy Star appliances, among others.  The savings from these energy and water reduction strategies will pass directly to the families, providing them with homes of long-term affordability.

None of this would be possible, however, without the donation of green building products.  Portland Habitat for Humanity regularly relies on donations of building materials, but this project requires that certain products be sourced from beyond their regular donor base.  Several companies have stepped in to provide these materials.  The Supreme Perlite Company is donating perlite foundation insulation, a volcanic byproduct that is locally sourced and a great alternative to polystyrene insulation.  Taylor Metals is providing a highly durable metal roof with low maintenance needs that makes it easy to hang solar panels and collect rainwater.  It will come in a color that will help offset the urban heat island effect.

With the enthusiastic help of these and other donors, the homes may not only meet their goal, but outperform it to achieve a LEED gold rating.  Due to the design’s size and efficiency, the donations needed are relatively modest, but their impact will be huge.  Each donation amplifies the environmental and social sustainability of the project.  The team is actively seeking these donations, specifically:
• Windows and doors
• Flooring
• PV panels
• Lighting and plumbing fixtures
• Siding
• Cistern
• Drywall
• FSC framing lumber, LVL beams, and roof trusses
• Cabinets
• Countertops
• Solar hot water panels
• Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS) for roof
• Wood trim
• Exterior decking
• Landscaping plantings
• Ceiling fans
• Hydronic piping
• Fence material

When the project breaks ground this spring, it will be as the result of the actions of many people and organizations.  From the outset, donations of time, materials, and money have made this project possible.  The team needs help from everyone.  They are asking you to help spread the word, secure donations, and build the homes!

See the design and the brochure.

For donation information, please contact:

Shannon Tennant
Development Director, Organizational Giving
Portland Habitat for Humanity
www.pdxhabitat.org
1478 NE Killingsworth Street
PO Box 11527
Portland, OR 97211
T 503.287.9529, Ext. 13 | F 503.287.4649
Shannon_Tennant@pdxhabitat.org



For project information, please contact:

Steve Messinetti, Executive Director
Portland Habitat for Humanity
www.pdxbahitat.org
1478 NE Killingsworth Street
PO Box 11527
Portland, OR 97211
T 503-287-9529 | F 503-287-4649
Steve_Messinetti @pdxhabitat.org

Gina Franzosa, PE, LEED-AP
Oregon State Director
Cascadia Region Green Building Council
Natural Capital Center
721 NW 9th Ave, Suite 280
Portland, OR 97209
T 503.228.5533 | F 503.914.1749
gina@cascadiagbc.org